Shamala’s desire for equality
Dr S. Shamala (pic) has dedicated her life to hockey in Malaysia since her playing days, and was recently recognised for her immense contribution by the Asian Hockey Confederation (AHF).
At the end of their AGM in Gifu, Japan, Shamala was called up to receive the AHF Order of Merit.
And at the AHF website, the Order of Merit was described as “This is one of the most prestigious awards given by the AHF.”
Shamala juggles many “jobs” while rising from the ranks to become the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) deputy president while her bread-and-butter is as a professor at the Universiti Putra Malaysia Department of Communication Technology and Network.
“The award could not have been achieved without dedication and commitment form the MHC team, and so, I would like to thank everybody from the bottom to the top level,” said Shamala.
The AHF used to be more involved in protocols, but according to Shamala, that is history.
“The delegates who came to Gifu were committed to shed the AHF’s “protocol image” and move towards “action base”.
This includes having more Asian teams in the next World Cup and Olympics.
“And at the bottom half, teams like North Korea, Afghanistan and Oman are also keen to move up and are involved with many AHF activities now,” she said.
Shamala also aims to start the ball rolling for the Asian continent to earn their rights and equality in the FIH world ranking system which favours Europe and the ProLeague more than Asian and Olympics respectively.
For example, even continental championships provide different points as in Europe, it’s 750 points for No 1, while in Asia it’s 650 points for gold.
“Yes, I will push for equality especially in ranking points provided for championships, as in the end, points are what matter most for a team to qualify for the Olympics and World Cup now,” said Shamala.
Her other burning desire is to see field hockey played more regularly at the Sea Games level.
“Manila (2019) will only have indoor hockey while Vietnam (next hosts) has totally taken hockey out. It is OK for Sea Games to include some traditional sports, but don’t sideline Olympic and world level sports in the same breath. Asean countries must be realistic and move forward,” said Shamala.
If more AHF, as well as Sea Games officials have the same mindset like Shamala, the continent can finally move forward and have more world beaters in their ranks.